Many people claim their grandmother is the best, and I genuinely believe that’s because they don’t know mine. Yet I’ve struggled to describe this godly woman to those who don’t know her. Yesterday was her 85th birthday, and today might be her last day in this life.
God (as usual) ministered greatly to me in my daily reading and provided an example of her life. So, I’m writing to process it and preserve it, partly for others’ benefit but mostly for mine.
The pattern of my grandparents
In Acts 18, Scripture introduces a much-loved but little-known couple – Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. As I meditate on their Biblical record, I see my grandparents superimposed upon them.
Aquila & Priscilla travelled and ministered with Paul and were left behind with the infant church in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-23). They discipled Apollos to become a mighty preacher (Acts 18:26-28). They laid down their necks for the mission & were loved by all the churches (Romans 16:3-5). Their house was the meeting place for at least one church (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19). At the end of Paul’s life, he salutes them, as fellowlabourers who had been faithful to the end (2 Tim 4:19).
There are many parallels to my grandparents, who surrendered to the Lord’s call, moved up north, started 6 churches with salvations and baptisms totaling in the thousands, made disciples, trained pastors – all while bringing up five children to serve the Lord, who would bring up grandchildren, who would bring up great grandchildren to serve the Lord.
The pattern of my Gramma
It is noteworthy that Aquila is never mentioned alone in the Bible; in every verse, his wife, Priscilla, is explicitly listed with him. This must be because she was always by her husband’s side, surrendering to the mission with him, laboring in the ministry beside him, and absolutely vital to the work God was doing.
In each step of my Grandpa’s life, Gramma is notably at his side – laboring with him and absolutely vital to the work God was doing. Indeed, much could be said about my Grandpa – his transformation as a first-generation Christian, his spiritual leadership of four generations, and his fruitful ministry of church planting and pastoring – and notably, it was my Gramma who brought him to church, where He was wonderfully saved by Jesus.
Gramma is a prayer warrior and a faithful counselor who speaks the truth in love. In the midst of trouble, she demonstrates joy. In decades of change, she remains faithful. In old age, she doesn’t complain or criticize but manifests the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). She is a virtuous woman (Proverbs 31:10-31) in every sense; her children arise up and call her blessed, and her husband praises her.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come – Proverbs 31:25.